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Abel Tasman National ParkNelsonBlenheimLake TekapoAkaroaDoubtfulSoundTe AnauQueenstownDunedinThe CatlinsMilford SoundTailoring your tripThe itineraries shown are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and are routes thatwork particularly well. We can use these as a basisto plan your trip or we can design a completelydifferent itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.Please call one of our New Zealand specialists tostart planning your itinerary.Telephone: 01993 838 820Getting aroundThe South Island is usually reached by aninternal flight from Auckland to Christchurch,Queenstown, Nelson or Dunedin. Alternatively,if you are travelling from the North Island andhave a hire car, the ferry from Wellington toPicton is a scenic three hour voyage through theMarlborough Sounds. A hire car is certainly themost convenient and flexible way to explore therest of the island at your own pace, with safe andgenerally empty roads. There are two scenicrailway journeys that you may also wish toincorporate into your trip, the Coastal Pacific,which operates along the coast between Pictonand Christchurch, and the TranzAlpine betweenChristchurch and Greymouth.When to goJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec33 33 33 3 3 Q Q Q 3 3 33 3333 The best time to travel.3 A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.~ Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.5 Travel is not recommended.Q Snow or ski season.The best time to visit the South Island is betweenNovember and April, the New Zealand summer.This time of year is generally warm and sunnybut winters, from June to August, are usually cold,wet and snowy. Spring and autumn can be goodtimes to visit for those who are prepared to takea risk with the weather, and certainly there arefewer visitors than during the peak summermonths of December, January and February.The South is a very mountainous island so dobear in mind climatic variations due to elevation.Rainfall is common throughout the year,especially in the mountains and along the coasts,whilst winter months offer a great variety ofsnow-related sports activities.Time difference: GMT+12 hoursFlight time from UK: 27 hoursPricesWe offer trips to cater for a wide range ofbudgets. You can find up-to-date guideline pricesfor your trip to New Zealand on our website,alternatively please call our specialists to discussyour plans.South Island ExplorerThis trip is ideal for those wanting to explore theSouth Island in depth, but at a relaxed pace. It takesin the best of the South Island’s dramatic sceneryfrom the beautiful sounds and vineyards ofMarlborough to the mountain scenery of theSouthern Alps.Days 1-2Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6Days 7-8Fly overnight from the UK toAuckland.Fly to Nelson and relax in thislaid-back town.Explore Nelson or the neighbouringAbel Tasman National Park.Drive to Blenheim in the heart of theMarlborough wine region.Sample some of New Zealand’s finestwines or explore the picturesqueMarlborough Sounds by boat.Make your way down the coast tothe lovely French town of Akaroa fora couple of days.Days 9-10 Drive into the Alps to Lake Tekapoand enjoy stunning views of thesurrounding landscape.Days 11-12 Head south to Queenstown andenjoy the multitude of activities onoffer.Day 13Day 14Continue on to Te Anau and take atrip to the glow worm caves.Enjoy a scenic nature cruise onDoubtful Sound.Days 15-16 Make your way along the southerncoast to the little-discoveredCatlins region.Days 17-18 Drive to Dunedin. Take a guided tourto see the yellow-eyed penguins androyal albatrosses.Day 19Day 20Fly from Dunedin to the UK viaAuckland.Arrive in the UK.Stay longerYou could extend your trip by adding time in theNorth Island on arrival and incorporating the ferryjourney between the two islands, or relax for a fewdays in one of the beautiful South Pacific islands.Akaroa Harbour66